Following the recognition of the International Padel Federation (FIP) by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), padel has officially been included in the sports programme of the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. This marks a decisive step forward for the sport’s expansion across Asia and its growing global presence. The announcement was made public through the official channels of the OCA in December 2025.
Key meeting in Kuwait
The decision followed a meeting between FIP President Luigi Carraro and OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam at the OCA Headquarters in Kuwait during the first week of November. The meeting coincided with the inaugural FIP World Cup Pairs, underlining the momentum padel has gained in recent years. The inclusion reflects the rapid growth of the sport throughout Asia, where participation, infrastructure, and competitive activity have all increased significantly.
Carraro’s reaction
FIP President Luigi Carraro expressed his excitement about the announcement. “We are thrilled to see padel included in the Asian Games programme,” Carraro said. “This milestone highlights the sport’s global growth and opens new opportunities for our athletes across Asia to showcase their talent on one of the continent’s biggest sporting stages. We look forward to working with the OCA, Padel Asia, and our National Federations to make the 2026 Games a remarkable celebration of sport and padel.” (OCA press release, 2025).
Strengthening the Olympic movement
Adding padel to the 2026 Asian Games further strengthens the sport’s positioning within the Olympic movement. It represents an important milestone for its wider ambitions, offering a platform for padel to reach new audiences and solidify its place among the fastest-growing sports worldwide.
